Apprenticeships in spotlight for young at Shropshire event

Apprenticeships are now on the front line of the Government's battle to drive down unemployment.

And an event in Shropshire spread the word about apprenticeships, selling vocational training as an effective alternative to higher education.

• Star Comment: Working towards a career with apprenticeships

County Training, part of Shropshire Council, has been holding a series of information events over the past month around Shropshire, with opportunities to secure job interviews and gain valuable advice on CV writing and other skills.

And at the Market Drayton's Festival Drayton Centre, 16-24 year-olds were able to grips on the benefits of learning on the job.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for children's services for transformation and safeguarding, said: "The Secure Your Apprenticeship events encourage young people to take control of their future and to see that an apprenticeship could be the right path for them as a method of gaining a secure footing on the career ladder."

Parents and carers were also at the event to find out what kind of apprenticeships were on offer for their children, as well as work and training opportunities.

And with a pre-apprenticeship programme also on offer learners had the opportunity to enrol on a scheme to improve English and maths levels, as well as gain confidence and work experience, ready for taking on an apprenticeship.

Some were also able to secure job interviews, whilst everyone attending went away with an information and advice pack which gave tips on CV writing, interview techniques, speculative letters and what employers want.

The event was one of seven held by County Training, with others in Telford, Whitchurch, Oswestry, Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Bishop's Castle.

A poll suggested three reasons for this reluctance to hire and train new talent: Thirty per cent of small businesses don't have the cash to invest in an apprenticeship scheme; 37 per cent blame low awareness among young people about the opportunities afforded by the SME sector; and 44 per cent think graduates and apprentices are more interested in working for bigger business.

For more information visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/county-training.